Ideas change everything

How gratitude rewires your brain

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Christina Costa |

TEDxUofM

• March 2021

When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina Costa goes beyond the "fight" narrative of cancer -- or any formidable personal journey -- to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges: gratitude.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

When a psychologist who studies well-being ends up with a brain tumor, what happens when she puts her own research into practice? Christina Costa goes beyond the "fight" narrative of cancer -- or any formidable personal journey -- to highlight the brain benefits of an empowering alternative to fostering resilience in the face of unexpected challenges: gratitude.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxUofM, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Donate to the University of Michigan Al-Holou Brain Tumor Research Fund

Buy Christina's book Kiss your Brain: Diagnosis Diaries — all funds go towards brain cancer research.

About the speaker

Christina Costa

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Christina Costa teaches psychology to undergraduate and high school students and studies well-being and resilience.

About TEDx

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxUofM, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

Donate to the University of Michigan Al-Holou Brain Tumor Research Fund

Buy Christina's book Kiss your Brain: Diagnosis Diaries — all funds go towards brain cancer research.